Vincenza (Prizio) O'Neil

Vincenza Ann (Prizio) O’Neil, 99, a lifelong resident of Worcester, passed away at home Saturday, September 3, 2022, surrounded by loving and devoted family.  Vincenza was married for 55 years to her wonderful and loving husband, William H. O’Neil, who died in Worcester in 2004.

Vincenza leaves her six much-beloved children, including three sons, Michael J. O’Neil, and wife Deborah C. O’Neil of West Boylston; William F.X. O’Neil of Worcester (within whose home she resided); and Stephen P. O’Neil, of Litchfield, N.H.; three daughters, Patricia A., and husband Robert J. Trachimowicz of Uxbridge; Maureen E., and husband Brian W. Cote of Somerville, NJ; and Eileen A., and husband Joseph P. Melican, Jr. of Boylston.  Vincenza leaves nine cherished grandchildren:  Michael (Ginny); Timothy (Gina); Jennifer (Brad); Matthew (Abbey); Nathan; Katelynn (Chris); Patrice; Neil; and Jillian (Duffy).  She also leaves fifteen wonderful, beautiful, and much-loved great-grandchildren: Brendan, Andrew, Joshua, Kenley, Tylen, Griffin, Ryan, Bryce, James, Keira, William, Jayde, Cole, Declan, and Evelyn.  Vincenza also leaves many admired and loved nieces, nephews, and other family members and friends.

Vincenza was born in Worcester, one of six children of Italian immigrants Gaetano and Angelina (Sullo) Prizio, and was predeceased by her parents as well as her brother and four sisters: Michael Prizio, Grace Bombredi, Eleanor Ceffalo, Jean Gurinian, and her infant sister Josephine.  Vincenza was also preceded  in death by her brother-in-law Paul V. O’Neil, sister-in-law Marjorie E. O’Neil, niece Kathleen and nephew Thomas on her side of the family, and nephews Michael, Thomas, and Charles on her husband’s side.  Vincenza graduated from the former High School of Commerce in June 1942, and from the Worcester School of Business Science in June 1943.  After raising her children, Vincenza worked several years in Worcester at the Paul Revere Insurance Co. as a keypunch operator, and in the Business Office at Doctor’s Hospital, now AdCare, until she retired.  Vincenza was a member and weekly communicant of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish in Worcester for 60 years, as well as a parish Sodality member; she also was a long-time Catholic Women’s retreatant at the former Cenacle in Lancaster, MA.  A member of the Women’s Guild at the former Sacred Heart Academy (SHA) in Worcester - where all her children attended school - she helped every week in the school cafeteria, as well as with other SHA events, including the annual Fall bazaar.  Education for their children was paramount for Vincenza and her husband William.

Vincenza had several varied interests.  First was her devotion to her immediate and extended family, all of whom she loved dearly.  She cherished seeing and spending time with her great-grandchildren when they visited, or when she was able to travel to see them.  She especially loved to laugh with her husband, family, and friends, and perhaps most frequently and heartily of all, her brother and three sisters.  She looked forward to her weekly “Tuesday Club” gathering – for a great many years – with women friends to play cards, and she also loved playing the 2-deck game “Fascination”: all anyone had to do was ask at any time.  She enjoyed an occasional trip to one of the local casinos, especially with her sister Grace in their later years, as well as with her children.  She very much appreciated the winning ways of the Red Sox and Patriots over the last two decades.  On nice mornings when she was able, she met friends to walk and socialize at the nearby running track. She enjoyed attending the annual dance recital presented by her oldest granddaughter’s dance studio, and all the special events for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren which she was able to attend.  She loved family cookouts, and she herself was a wonderful cook – whether American or Italian cuisine – and loved company, especially on Holidays.  Perhaps most of all, she cherished Christmas Eve and providing a feast for her family, including the Italian Feast of the Seven Fishes.  Vincenza enjoyed many family day trips over the years – such as to Providence’s Federal Hill and Misquamicut Beach every recent birthday before the pandemic; Cape Cod; Portland; Block Island; New Jersey for extended stays with Maureen and family; England when three of her children were working there; and Texas, Oklahoma, and Washington State when two of her children were residing and working in those States.  All these trips were with her husband Bill, and they always had a wonderful time.  Perhaps most of all, there were two very special events in her life: her one trip to her ancestral towns in Italy with Bill to meet her father’s elderly sister Amalia, and both her parents’ remaining families, as well as to Rome and Naples; and the very special visit to Worcester from her first cousin (also named Vincenza) from Australia with her grandson Dominic: two 90 year-old first cousins (their fathers were brothers) met for the very first time in their lives in Worcester in 2015.  Our mother Vincenza has had a very blessed life.   

Friends and relatives are invited to attend calling hours Sunday, September 11^th from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St. Her funeral will be held Monday, September 12^th from the funeral home, in procession leaving at 9:30 am to Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 25 Fales Street, where her Mass will be concelebrated at 10:00 am.  Long-time family friend, Rev. Charles Monroe, will be principal celebrant.  Burial will follow in St John’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial remembrances in her name can be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph, 577 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104.  The O’Neil family would especially like to thank her caregivers and administrative staff from Beacon Hospice (at Home) in Leominster; Elara Caring of Worcester; Elder Services of Worcester Area, and Vincenza’s long-time caregiver Sharon for the exceptional care, love, comfort, and compassion they all provided to their mother.  And on a personal note, from the O’Neil children:  May you and Dad rest in eternal peace, love, and light with the entire O’Neil and Prizio families, Mom.  We love you and thank you Mom and Dad.  We always have.  And we always will…...”long past forever.”